The freakish size of Nancy Reagan's head.

[Dracomax]

a copuple of dozen people from a thrity to fourty mile area.
significant may be an overstatement, i agree. but what i was refering to was my perception, in which 20+ people IRL are balanced by 5 or six online.

[Yeahduff]

But you're straight now, right?

He's well-liked here. Simple as that.

[MixedMyth]

Definately Obama. McCain's caved in way too much under party pressure. Also his record is in about 95% agreement with Bush on all issues. It could be argued that he has military experience, but given that he graduated fourth from the bottom of his class in Annapolis and never was put in a position of military leadership, I don't see him as having an edge over Obama in this. I'm generally very libral so it's unlikely I'd vote republican anyhow, given the standards of their past nominees. This isn't to say I'm ga ga over Obama. I support him strongly, but guardedly, if that makes any sense. I haven't been terribly happy with the democrates, either.

What I don't get is that the republican party used to be primarily about financial conservatism. When did that get left by the wayside? Like, I actually want to know. It seems like there's been a huge paradigm shift away from that to social conservatism. Particularly Bush, of course, but even before...ooh well.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

The religious stance currently held by the GOP is largely why I could never see myself as a Republican. In the future? Who knows. It remains to be seen.

[Yeahduff]

Social conservatism sells better. And then you get to spend a lot of money on stuff.

[MixedMyth]

Between the infusion of religiosity, the trickle down economics, and their stance on science it would take a whole hell of a lot of party change for me to vote Republican. This isn't to say that there aren't good republicans. Jim Leech did a fine job. But presidential candidates tend to typify a party more because they try to reach all sectors of their party's support.

In all, I do not expect McCain to be much of an improvement over Bush except in the US's stance on torture. Although I disagreed with the guy, I used to at least respect him. The stunts he's pulled during his run for candidacy and the past few years of bowing to the party line have ruined that for me, though.

Edit: Oh yes. Obama also taught constitutional law. So I think he has a greater chance than McCain of acting within his presidential limits and restoring the system of checks and balances.

[Rkolter]

I will probably vote for Obama for one reason, and agsinst the Republicans for one reason. That comes out to a democratic vote this year for me.

Obama is a great speaker. A lot of critics put him down for this reason - he's all talk and no action. But a lot of politics is how you come across to people, and how you take hold of peoples' minds and get them to follow you. I think this talent is something that we could sorely use on the world stage right now. It has to be backed with a good mind, but I think Obama has that. Right now I'll accept a "pretty reasonable" president with the ability to talk the parachute off a falling man's back.

And, I am not happy at the current bend the Republican party has taken towards extreme conservatism. Republicans have gotten progressively more religiously zealous, antagonistic towards science, and willing to ostracize groups that are not in their core constituency. I call my self a Republicrat because I like more of the moderate ideas on both sides. When the Republicans move too far from moderate as they've done recently, I like less of what they have to say.

There are lots of other small reasons for and against Obama and McCain, but I think these two are the biggest.

[McDuffies]

I'd like to chip in and say that we Serbs root for Obama, but we we're very unpleased with his choice of vice-president.

I personally like McCain better, in the sence that I would rather have sex with him, if I was forced to take a pick.

[Paul Escobar]

I personally like McCain better, in the sence that I would rather have sex with him, if I was forced to take a pick.

Thank you for that mental image.

[Legion]

I personally like McCain better, in the sence that I would rather have sex with him, if I was forced to take a pick.

I have misgivings about Obama's experience as well, and I think he's been massively over hyped, but I'd still choose him over McCain. Obama at least seems willing to acknowledge that many issues, such as abortion or foreign policy, aren't simply a black and white choice between two extremes. I don't doubt that McCain understands that too, but he seems much less willing to show that.

Also, I'd prefer someone who's first reaction to an international crisis involving Russia isn't to poke Russia in the sides and issue futile threats that everyone in the Russian government knows aren't going to be acted upon, but that simply serve to piss them off. Sometimes it's a good idea to look at a situation calmly and weigh up the options, rather than run in firing blanks in the air.

[Laemkral]

Obama. Because McCain has sold out his independent streak of not toeing the party line and doing what he believes in. He used to be the politician who wasn't a Politician. He did stuff because he believed in it, not cause it was the party line. From how he's acted on this campaign trail...I just could not imagine putting him in charge because who knows what he'd do once actually in charge.

Also, it feels like the Republicans have been unleashing more personal attacks than the Democrats and I hate negative campaigning.

Obama is charismatic, something that America needs right now to restore some credibility. He seems genuinely capable of listening to his advisors (rather than the administration telling the advisors what to think...) which is what being President is REALLY about. You have people who come to you and go "Hey. Here's what's happening and all these experts have kinda sorted it down to a couple choices. Pick one, kthnxbai." Experience? I do not call being held in a torture camp "leadership experience", I call it "master's degree grade badassery." And let's face it, the people with years and years of experience still managed to fuck it all up.

He has a lot of ideas, and at least seems to know how to pay for them or get the ball rolling. And if it means raising taxes, I bet I'll be in the minority here but...RAISE THE DAMN TAXES ON THE PEOPLE WITH LOTS OF MONEY. Congrats, you earned it, time to put some of it to use helping the country. No whining, it's your civic duty and you should feel proud of the fact you get to pay more in taxes than other people. THAT is patriotism, not wearing some stupid little pin or putting a sticker on your car.

I also like the plan for getting out of Iraq. He's for putting troops into Afghanistan. The whole military is for going deeper into Afghanistan and finishing the mission. You know, the one to get Osama? He's also shown he's not about throwing around lofty ideals like "everyone out in 16 months!" which while admirable to dream about...are unrealistic. Instead he's revised his original plan about withdrawl but is still committed to getting the troops out.

Anyways, he's got my vote. Also, Palin seems like she was picked entirely to counteract the charisma of Obama, but she's got absolutely no political credibility that I can see. Is for abstinence education and she's got a knocked up teenage daughter? Yeah, clearly your ideals work.

[Tim]

I'm kinda waiting on McCain's RNC speech, just to see if he can convince me he's got a chance at my vote. As it stands now, I'm leaning toward Obama. I certainly have not liked how the last 7 years have panned out on the whole, and it seems to me Obama is the breath of fresh air that we need.

I feel like this election is either going to be an epic landslide, or one of the tightest races ever (mostly because of "red-state" people who would more vote against Obama than for McCain).

I think it's a little funny that, when written, "Obama / Biden" kinda looks like "Osama bin Laden". I keep wanting to call him Binden (his name is pronounced "BYE-den") because of that.

But, at the very least, with Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain involved, it'll be nice to have a bit of eye candy in the White House, something we really haven't had since Jackie Kennedy.

Does anyone else think Sarah Palin looks like Tina Fey?

[McDuffies]

I personally like McCain better, in the sence that I would rather have sex with him, if I was forced to take a pick.

I have misgivings about Obama's experience as well, and I think he's been massively over hyped, but I'd still choose him over McCain. Obama at least seems willing to acknowledge that many issues, such as abortion or foreign policy, aren't simply a black and white choice between two extremes. I don't doubt that McCain understands that too, but he seems much less willing to show that.

Wow wow, I still think that McCain would use condom, right? If not, then if he's gonna stuck me with a child, then I'd rather have sex with Obama after all. But I agree with other things, I don't think that Obama has much experience in the sack, and as for massiveness, they do say that size doesn't matter.

[Rkolter]

I'm mortified by McDuffies "decision by sex" method of choosing our president. I keep thinking of squelching sounds and the smell of wet fur.

[Jesusabdullah]

Essentially, I definitely like him better than McCain. And Especially more than Palin who could very well end up being president given McCain's ages and health problems.

I'd be interested in knowing what y'all think of Palin and why. She's my governor, and people fucking love her up here. I don't like some of her positions, but she doesn't really strike me as scary either.

[Phact0rri]

well after last nights speech.. I think she's more vindictive than Hillary clinton and dubbya combined. Really the only thing going for her at all is the down syndrome baby, and only cause I'm a equal rights supporter.

[Dreamaniaccomic]

Been watching McCain's speech tonight. One quote I have sworn to never forget:
"My administration will set a new record for transparency and accountability."
Because if he IS elected, I plan to spread this quote far and wide, and make sure he is measured by it every single step of the way.
I also want to find a quote of Obama's that I can hold him accountable too, if anyone can provide one. Currently, I like Obama more then McCain, but I don't know much about his stance on certain issues, so I am holding my support in reserve until I understand both candidates positions. Just because I can't vote yet doesn't mean I shouldn't care.

[Jesusabdullah]

I should look for this speech; I haven't heard it.

[[AOD]]

In all the... oh... two elections I've voted in since I turned eighteen, I've tended to vote Green to show my "true colours" and dissuade possible political backlash against me when one party or the other decides to initiate a coup d'etat and the reprisal killings start. I pretty much stand to the left of either party's general platforms, further left of the Republicans than the Democrats, but since I don't act much on that leftish bent (I was born and raised in Berkeley, California! ) the environmental issue is the only real plank I think and feel strongly about nowadays. And when it comes to that, nobody really beats the Greens. I think they really hold to their ideals, and haven't yet been forced to kow-tow to the right-centrist bent of this country for the sake of votes.

But then again, this election's pretty darn important, so I suppose I'll vote for Obama, not that it counts much in the long run.

@~[AOD]

[McDuffies]

I'm mortified by McDuffies "decision by sex" method of choosing our president. I keep thinking of squelching sounds and the smell of wet fur.

It's not my fault, Legion made such nice setup.